Pub given lifeline as people power wins

Campaigners have claimed a historic victory in the fight to save a much-loved pub.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Feb 2014, 14:01 BST
The Angel Pub,Spinkhill has been saved ,by residents of the village,who campaigned to prevent a developer from turning the pub into houses.Pictured is Andrew TrubyThe Angel Pub,Spinkhill has been saved ,by residents of the village,who campaigned to prevent a developer from turning the pub into houses.Pictured is Andrew Truby
The Angel Pub,Spinkhill has been saved ,by residents of the village,who campaigned to prevent a developer from turning the pub into houses.Pictured is Andrew Truby

North East Derbyshire District Council’s planning committee unanimously refused proposals to convert The Angel Hotel on College Road in Spinkhill - after villagers made a passionate plea to save it.

The proposals, by developer AB Investments, would have seen The Angel converted into two houses with a small portion of the pub retained as a bar and two detached houses built in the garden. But it was thrown out as the pub is listed as the district’s first Asset of Community Value (ACV) – a scheme allowing groups to bid for assets sold in their area.

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It’s the first time in the country an ACV listing has been cited as the primary reason for a council to refuse planning permission.

The Angel Pub,Spinkhill has been saved ,by residents of the village,who campaigned to prevent a developer from turning the pub into housesThe Angel Pub,Spinkhill has been saved ,by residents of the village,who campaigned to prevent a developer from turning the pub into houses
The Angel Pub,Spinkhill has been saved ,by residents of the village,who campaigned to prevent a developer from turning the pub into houses

Campaigner Andrew Truby said: “What an incredible journey we have been on so far in our village campaign.

“The sense of community spirit has been revived as the village has come together to protect this community asset.”

He added: “This has always been about saving the Angel rather than buying it and we hope someone will buy the place, fill it with their love and open the doors once more.” Villagers told the meeting, on January 21, that the new bar area would not cater for families, the outdoor space would be lost and more emphasis should be placed on the building’s community value.

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The Angel Spinkhill Community Interest Company has six months to put together a bid to secure the site.

A council spokesman said: “The planning committee unanimously voted to refuse the application due to the site being a valuable community asset listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and there was no adequate alternative available and that the proposal did not offer any affordable housing or a commuted sum for affordable housing in the area.”